MT. VERON — Pierce County tipped off the 2024-25 campaign here Thursday night splitting with host Montgomery County.
The Lady Bears (1-0) knocked off last season’s Class A DII state runnerup Lady Eagles 41-28 in the November 14 opener. Montgomery County went 30-2 including a 44-26 win vs. PCHS in the season opener at Jeff Davis last year and 77-7 over the last three years.
The Bears (0-1) let a four-point halftime lead evaporate as the Eagles rallied for a 58-53 victory in the nightcap.
Pierce County was swept in pre-season scrimmages Tuesday, November 12 at Lanier County. The Lady Bears fell 34-16 with the Bears dropping a 64-42 decision. No details were reported.
PCHS travels twice this week with the first matchup Tuesday (November 19) at Bacon County. Pierce County visits Charlton County Thursday, November 21. The four-game seasonopening road trip concludes Tuesday, December 3 at Jeff Davis.
The first home game on the schedule is Tuesday, December 10 against Bacon County.
Lady Bears .............41 Montgomery Co. ....28 Claire Murray scored a game-high 11 points to lead six Lady Bears in the scoring column in beating Montgomery County.
PCHS claimed an 11-8 first quarter lead. The Lady Bears outpointed the home team 13-12 in the second stanza for a 24-20 halftime advantage.
Each team scored eight points during the third period with Pierce County holding a 32-28 lead with eight minutes remaining. The Lady Bears pitched a shutout over the final eight minutes outscoring Montgomery County 9-0.
Madi McGatha (trey) and Caren Drew (two threes) followed Murray’s lead with nine points each. Isabell Marx and Ansley Hutcheson (trey) bagged five points apiece. Saharah Minett contributed two points.
The Lady Eagles were led by the eight points of Erin Adams.
Montgomery Co. ....58 Bears .....................53 Jaquez Kelly blistered the nylons for a game-high 34 points in leading the Eagles over Pierce County.
Kelly scored 14 points in the first half and 20 over the final 16 minutes including a 15-point eruption in the third quarter. He hit three treys and was 7-of-9 at the free throw line.
Chez Armstrong scored a team-high 19 points for the Bears with 11 coming in the fourth period. Jay McGauley netted 15 points connecting on five longrange bombs.
PCHS jump head 17-13 by the end of the first period. The Bears would take a 30-26 lead into the locker room after each team scored 13 points in the second quarter.
Montgomery County used a 15-10 scoring advantage in the third stanza to grab a slim 41-40 lead with eight minutes remaining. The Eagles were able to escape with a 17-13 scoring advantage in the fourth quarter.
Ahmad Arnold (two treys) and Gabe Varnadore (trey) added eight points apiece for the Bears. Ryan Pittman chipped in three points.
